Pastor Jeremiah Steepek transformed himself into a homeless person and went to the 10,000 member church that he was to be introduced as the head pastor at that morning. He walked around his soon to be church for 30 minutes while it was filling with people for service… only 3 people out of the 7-10,000 people said hello to him. He asked people for change to buy food… NO ONE in the church gave him change. He greeted people to be greeted back with stares and dirty looks, with people looking down on him and judging him. He went into the sanctuary to sit down in the front of the church but was asked by the ushers if he would please sit n the back.
As he sat in the back of the church, he listened to the church announcements and such. When all that was done, the elders went up and were excited to introduce the new pastor of the church to the congregation… “We would like to introduce to you Pastor Jeremiah Steepek” The congregation looked around clapping with joy and anticipation. The homeless man sitting in the back stood up… and started walking down the aisle… the clapping stopped with ALL eyes on him… he walked up the podium and took the microphone from the elders (who were in on this) and paused for a moment…. then he recited from Matt. 25:34-40.
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’’
After he recited this, he looked towards the congregation and told them all what he had experienced that morning. Many began to cry and many heads were bowed in shame. He then said, “Today I see a gathering of people… not a church of Jesus Christ. The world has enough people, but not enough disciples… when will YOU decide to become disciples?” He then dismissed service until next week telling the congregation that being a Christian is more than something you claim… but it’s something you live by and share with others.
This is a story that has been circulating through social media recently. I believe this is not a true story though it might have been based on a true story of a Tennessee pastor Willie Lyle of Sango United Methodist Church who lived as a homeless person for a week and preached a sermon based on his experience or it could have been based on the famous book called In His Steps by Charles Sheldon. Nontheless, it speaks volume of how sometimes we, Christians, don’t behave in a way that honors our heavenly Father. He is loving, compassionate, understanding, forgiving, patience and kind… and yet, we often judge quickly based on persons look, job, ethnicity, color of skin, or even other difference than of ours.
Today, I am praying that when a homeless person does come to Life Church that he/she would be welcomed and accepted without frowned upon or judged.
Have a blessed week!